ROCHESTER, N.Y. — The two crime trends, smash-and-grab burglaries and the Kia and Hyundai TikTok challenge, are merging in the Rochester area.

Police say stolen cars are now being used in burglaries.

What You Need To Know

  • Police say a TikTok challenge and smash-and-grab crimes are merging in the Rochester area

  • Police say the perpetrators are sometimes using those stolen Kias and Hyundais to gain access to the businesses by driving the cars into the doors and windows of the buildings

  • Officials say there have been more than 30 smash-and-grab burglaries at area businesses in Rochester and Monroe County in the last few weeks

  • Police say there have been more than 450 Kias and Hyundais stolen over the last year in the city of Rochester

The manager of Abyssinia Restaurant described the damage when she came to work on Friday.

“I came in the morning, and I arrived and I found my window broken," Alemnesh Mengesha said.

The restaurant was one of three businesses hit at the plaza. In each case, the perpetrators broke the windows and stole items inside.

“It’s a safe area,” said Mengesha. “We never had a problem like this.”

It turns out the so-called smash-and-grab burglaries are happening in many areas.

In the past few weeks, police say there have been more than 30 smash-and-grab burglaries at area businesses in Rochester and Monroe County.

Just within the city of Rochester, police say there have been more than 450 Kias and Hyundais stolen over the last year.

Authorities are pointing the finger at a TikTok challenge gone viral.

"So Hyundais and Kias, you all know, [there] has been a trend nationwide of stolen Hyundais and Kias based on social media for lack of better terms,” said Rochester Police Department Lt. Greg Bello. “[It is] putting instructions out for how to steal these cars very quickly and easily.”

Across the country, thieves have been targeting specific models by making makeshift keys. The vehicles being targeted include Hyundais made between 2016 and 2021 and Kias made between 2011-2021, without push-button starts.

Police say the perpetrators are sometimes using those stolen Kias and Hyundais to gain access to the businesses by driving the cars into the doors and windows of the buildings, taking the TikTok challenge and merging it with the smash-and-grab burglary trend.

“Yeah, it goes along with the Kia and Hyundai trend, right?” said Monroe County Sheriff's Deputy Brendan Hurley. “Kids know how to steal them. How to get them easily. And you can just drive it right through the front of a building.”

The RPD, the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office and other police agencies, including the Brighton Police Department, are giving out free locking devices for certain Kia and Hyundai vehicles to prevent theft. And they’re offering advice to businesses that will help with security.

This week, Hyundai announced that it is introducing a software upgrade free of charge for about 3.8 million vehicles in response to the growing number of thefts.

“We want to make sure that everybody knows there are consequences for this,” Hurley said. “We are going to catch up to you. We will get you. And you’re going to have to answer for these things that you’re doing. But it doesn’t matter where you live, this stuff’s happening. It’s a crime of opportunity.”